Ein Hund und vier Pferde 

Carl Reichert’s painting *Ein Hund und vier Pferde*, brings us face to face with a candid assembly of animals rendered with notable detail. The composition is structured to emphasize the animals' faces, each delineated with a careful observation that borders on portraiture. The work engages with ideas of animal representation and domesticity, inviting considerations of how we perceive and interact with animals. Note the texture achieved through Reichert's brushstrokes, bringing a tactile quality to the animals' coats. There is a clear semiotic intent behind the work. The dog is positioned as a subordinate, peeking out from behind one of the horses, suggesting a hierarchy of domestic animals. The artist captures the individuality of each horse, distinguishing them not just by their coloring but also through subtle variations in their expressions. This formal feature elevates the painting beyond a simple genre scene, prompting questions about how we assign characteristics to the animals around us.